'Pass the Potatoes, Please'

In Idaho, the centerpiece of the holiday meal is always... you guessed it... the potato.

And, it's not uncommon to find several different dishes featuring the versatile vegetable at a Thanksgiving feast or New Year's Day brunch.

This holiday season, go to https://idahopotato.com/recipes (updated after publication for your convenience!) to find an impressive collection of potato recipes that promise to be the most passed side dish at your next gathering.

“The Idaho Potato Commission's website has truly become the resource for all things potato," explained Frank Muir, President and CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). "In addition to more than 1,100 recipes in our database, we have 'how-to' videos and tips from our in-house expert Dr. Potato that cover every topic from buying and storing potatoes to being resourceful with leftovers."

Cornucopia of Recipes

The Idaho Potato Commision's newly redesigned recipe database makes it easier than ever to find the right potato dish for your holiday meal. Arranged by dayparts, type of dish (e.g., salad, soup, mashed), and even nutritional profile (e.g., certified heart-healthy by the American Heart Association, gluten-free), you can slice and dice your criteria to find the perfect recipe.

For example, Festive Warm Idaho® Potato Salad is simple to make and can be served either warm or cold. Or, if you want to try something new and impressive, Gruyere, Apple and Idaho® Potato Au Gratin offers a sophisticated twist on a classic dish. And don't forget the mashed potatoes! This is where the versatile vegetable shines. From Traditional Mashed to Roasted Rosemary Red-Skinned Idaho® Potatoes to Idaho® Potato Souffle, we recommend trying them all!

Entertaining How-To Videos

The Idaho Potato Commission has more than 100 videos on its website and YouTube channel. Many of them are entertaining culinary demonstrations that provide step-by-step instructions. A favorite is food blogger Nicole Presley's Navidad Tamales. With the help of a few little elves, Nicole makes tamales loaded with Idaho® potatoes two different ways.

As Nicole says, "The potato is the perfect addition to a meat tamale or a vegetarian one." She also uses a unique trick to keep the tamales from burning. To find out what that is, Nicole's video can be viewed here.

More "How to" potato recipe video's

Check out these videos for even more creative holiday potato ideas:

Cranberry Potato Gratin - a great side dish that complements both turkey and ham.

How to Make Yellow Potato Roast - a simple dish that is sure to be the favorite at any potluck


Potato Candy - How to Make CANDY from POTATOES - perfect as gifts for those with a sweet tooth



Dr. Potato Blog

To help make your holidays as stress-free as possible this year visit Dr. Potato's blog.

He's answered just about every question possible regarding potatoes. And if there's something still puzzling you about potatoes, submit your question and he'll respond immediately.

Here are a few tips from Dr. Potato on one of the most popular topics, especially around the holidays - leftovers:

• Can I freeze extra scalloped potatoes? I have enough leftovers to feed the neighborhood! As long as the potatoes are already cooked, your scalloped potatoes should be fine for 2-3 weeks in the freezer.


• What can I do with leftover mashed potatoes? Gnocchi is a great dish to make with leftover mashed potatoes. Chef David Knickrehm in Eagle, Idaho has an easy to make gnocchi recipe that has a bit of kick to it, too!

In addition to recipes and tips, the Idaho Potato Commision's website is updated regularly with information on new contests and promotions, links to marketing initiatives including the new national television commercial, important nutrition information, and much, much more.